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PS3 will record TV

gauchogolfer said:
While interesting, I'm not sure what this has to do with AppleTV. There are already Mac-compatible solutions, such as Elgato.
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The relevance of this story to the AppleTV is that the PS3 (and the Xbox360) compete with the AppleTV for space in the TV console. I think (read: no facts to support this) that an average consumer has 4 devices connected to their main TV.

1. Cable/Satellite STB/DVR

2. DVD or HiDef disc player

3. VCR

4. free slot available for a media or game device

So, in an effort to grab that last slot, these media devices need to have flexibility to replace/incorporate the functions of other devices. PS3 can replace the DVD player. An Apple TV can, in theory, replace the DVD player as well.

So if the PS3 gains another function, that's another bullet in its chamber. Personally, without CableCard, most of the computer base PVRs are DOA. Maybe that is why this is a UK-PS3 device.

ft
 
ftaok said:
So if the PS3 gains another function, that's another bullet in its chamber. Personally, without CableCard, most of the computer base PVRs are DOA. Maybe that is why this is a UK-PS3 device.
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I agree. I don't know anybody in the US who gets terrestrial TV. It is all cable and I don't think they adhere to a common standard. However, in Europe it might be different.

I like my entertainment boxes to be modular. I got an AV receiver so that I don't have to throw it away when something new comes along which worked nicely as I got Airport streaming and AppleTV in the intervening three years. However, it is quite a mess of cables now. It would be nice if I could replace my DVD player, but I also see the advantages of not integrating too many things.
 
theBB said:
I agree. I don't know anybody in the US who gets terrestrial TV. It is all cable and I don't think they adhere to a common standard. However, in Europe it might be different.
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To answer your non-question: yes.

But the US is moving to all-digital TV (2009) and Sony said they would consider releasing the tuner add-on in the US then.

It's really nice too, support for 2 1080p tuners and full DVR functionality.
 
ftaok said:
3. VCR


ft
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Wait, you telling people still using VCRs??!


But since ATV is not based on recording TV, it based on buying Media from iTunes(which Europe lacks TV shows and Movies, ATV big selling points) they kind of aren't fight each other YET.

And NA isn't getting this until, at soonest, '09.

Also few people are going to have a PS3 and DVD/Blue Ray player...there is no need. That makes room for ATV!
 
zap2 said:
Wait, you telling people still using VCRs??!


But since ATV is not based on recording TV, it based on buying Media from iTunes(which Europe lacks TV shows and Movies, ATV big selling points) they kind of aren't fight each other YET.

And NA isn't getting this until, at soonest, '09.

Also few people are going to have a PS3 and DVD/Blue Ray player...there is no need. That makes room for ATV!
Click to expand...

Absolutely. People still have VCRs ... some even have two of them. We have a VCR hooked up still because we have cable and the in-laws ask us to record stuff on Nickelodeon for their kids. Plus, we have lots of VCR tapes from a way back and it would be a shame to "obsolete" them by not have a playback device.

Personally, I'm not sure if it's even worth it for Sony to bring a North American OTA tuner out for the PS3. I've read that only 15% of US families get their TV via OTA. Everyone else uses cable/satellite. Therefore, to market a device for a small subset of a small subset (i.e. PS3 owners who use OTA), would be hard to justify.

But then again, Apple has made a pretty good business marketing to the other 5%.

ft
 
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